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The formats are different for each. And there are some differences between models.

If you want to save the best quality track files with Garmin, don't use a saved track if you can help it. Saved tracks are compressed to some extent, which deletes what it thinks are unimportant waypoints. This does not matter so much with a long straighter track, but a trail with a lot of switchbacks it will make a big difference. Obviously with longer trails where you are just dealing with intersections, a route make more sense than a track. I am not sure if Magellan saves tracks this way, maybe a user here knows?

Some saved formats also don't save additional track information like speed, elevation, time, etc., which may or may not matter for your project. You can always save in one format and people can use GPSbabel to load it to GPS or convert it to run in other mapping programs.

I can save the track to what ever format I want. If I know the formats each one uses I could post both formats. If anyone knows the formats for each GPS then let me know and I will post those formats. The two most used would be Garmin and Magellan. If I could find just those out that would be great.

Actually, you don't really need to save to match the format of the GPS. You need to save to match the format of the program the users are going to use to upload it to their GPS. Mapsource can read GPX files, maybe mapsend can as well, and you'd only need the one file. Using GPX files, people who don't have the $$$ map software could still use some freeware software to upload the tracks.

Yes, a GPX file can include tracks. I just converted your file - usually it doesn't make waypoints out of the points in a track, but it did this time. Not sure if it's the format of Google that did it or not. Maybe someone with Magellan software can verify it works?

Edit: Rick, the version you made in the other thread works better than the one I converted. So, I deleted this file to save confusion..

Yes, a GPX file can include tracks. I just converted your file - usually it doesn't make waypoints out of the points in a track, but it did this time. Not sure if it's the format of Google that did it or not. Maybe someone with Magellan software can verify it works?

Here's another track tip for when you want to save a high quality track. Aaron and I tried it out when we mapped the pisgah trails. Change your track saving options to save track data by distance, not time. that way you won't get extra track points if you sit around chatting for 20 minutes or get too few if you are moving faster. We set ours to update every .01 miles, which is every 5.28 feet.

Here's another track tip for when you want to save a high quality track. Aaron and I tried it out when we mapped the pisgah trails. Change your track saving options to save track data by distance, not time. that way you won't get extra track points if you sit around chatting for 20 minutes or get too few if you are moving faster. We set ours to update every .01 miles, which is every 5.28 feet.